deep south discovery South Island, New Zealand self-drive with cruise option FIORDLAND, STEWART ISLAND & CATLINS OPTION Experience one of the most pristine and magical regions on earth. From Queenstown to Te Anau and into Fiordland National Park with options for daytime or overnight cruises on awe-inspiring Doubtful or Milford Sound. Soak up breath-taking vistas, glacial fiords, high summits and unique marine and birdlife! Continue via Invercargill to Stewart Island, Milford Sound known for its rare native New Zealand birdlife and incredible fishing and walking trails. With a rugged Catlins option, this will be a fantastic way to discover or rediscover the deep south! Queenstown Doubtful l Discover stunning lakes and fiords, coastlines and nature Sound Te Anau l Get onto farms and meet locals running a variety of enterprises Lake Manapouri l Enjoy fantastic southern hospitality l Taste local food specialties at the source FIORDLAND l Options for walking, fishing, boating and heritage l Let someone else do all the organising for you! Invercargill Bluff Foveaux Catlins Strait Oban SOUTHLAND STEWART ISLAND / Rakiura For details ph 0800 38 38 747 [email protected] www.farmtofarm.co.nz deep south self-drive tour QUEENSTOWN - TE ANAU - FIORDLAND - STEWART IS. - CATLINS OPTION SAMPLE ITINERARY Meals: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner DAY ONE ARRIVE QUEENSTOWN Arrive into Queenstown, one of New Zealand’s most beautiful towns, at your leisure (extra nights can be arranged) and collect your rental vehicle. You can enjoy highlights of Queenstown such as a lake cruise on the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak Station, a thrilling jet boat ride, the gondola ride high above the town to Bob’s Peak, a round of golf or time in Arrowtown and the Gibbston Valley wine region. MEALS: - - - OVERNIGHT: Queenstown DAY TWO QUEENSTOWN - TE ANAU, FIORDLAND This morning’s drive around Lake Wakatipu is stunning with the lake on your right and the captivating Remarkables on your left. Perhaps take a break at the small settlement of Kingston, home of vintage steam train the “Kingston Flyer”. Continue into the productive pastoral farmland of Southland, populated by thousands of sheep, deer, beef and dairy cattle. The small rural townships of Garston, Athol (“fly fishing paradise”!) and Mossburn offer insights into farming and life in this southern part of New Zealand. Later arrive into the lakeside town of Te Anau at the edge of the Fiordland National Park. Covering 344km², Lake Te Anau is the South Island’s largest lake. Spectacular lake and mountain views await you as you explore this magnificent and remote region. Later this afternoon, arrive at your private farm accommodation and meet your hosts for the evening (subject to availability, sheep and beef station or mixed deer, cattle and sheep farms). Tonight you might enjoy a trip across the tranquil waters of Lake Te Anau to see the fascinating glowworm caves. MEALS: B - - OVERNIGHT: Te Anau Farmstay B&B DAY THREE TE ANAU - FIORDLAND OPTION (Milford & Doubtful Sounds) A day to enjoy yourselves in Fiordland. Milford Sound Cruise: Take a break from driving and travel by coach, enjoying the beautiful Milford Road and stops along the way. Board your nature cruise and spend the next two hours or so in awe of nature. Sunshine or rain, pristine Milford Sound is simply magical. Overnight options may be available. Doubtful Sound Cruise: Travel via scenic Lake Manapouri and Wilmot Pass for an overnight cruise: a once-in-a-lifetime experience in the heart of Fiordland! Be enchanted by breath-taking scenery, with mountains rising steeply from deep within the fiords. Spot local wildlife Kekeno (NZ Fur Seals), Tawaki (Fiordland Crested Pengiuns) and Bottle Nose Dolphins. You will see the precipitous glacial carved walls of the fiord from ice age activity thousands of years ago and native forest clinging to thin soils of the valley walls, interspersed by beautiful, tumbling waterfalls created by the high rainfall of the region. The top few metres of the Sound is fresh water, stained dark by tannins from the forest, and overlying the very clear salt water below. This makes it difficult for light to penetrate, allowing many deep-sea species to grow in the comparatively shallow depths - including rare red and black corals. Perhaps try your luck at fishing for blue cod or other fish species, whilst a crew member dives for crayfish to join with your catch for a tasty seafood meal tonight! For an alternative to cruising, there are plenty of options from tranquil hikes, fly fishing or an adventure with a local farmer and Te Anau jet boat operator! MEALS: B - - OVERNIGHT: Te Anau Farmstay or Overnight Cruise Email: [email protected] www.farmtofarm.co.nz DAY FOUR FIORDLAND - NORTHERN SOUTHLAND After another morning enjoying Fiordland (the overnight cruise returns early afternoon), depart Te Anau and travel through rural Northern Southland. Another option to stay at a local farming enterprise in the productive Lumsden region this evening (motel accommodation alternative). MEALS: B - - OVERNIGHT: Northern Southland DAY FIVE NORTHERN SOUTHLAND - STEWART ISLAND RAKIURA This morning make your way further south through the rolling green pastures of Southland to the port of Bluff, New Zealand’s southernmost town and renowned for its delicious Bluff oysters! This afternoon board the catamaran (flight option may be available) for a one-hour journey across Foveaux Strait to Stewart Island, New Zealand’s third largest land mass. Rakiura (“glowing skies”) Stewart Island is also known for its laid back lifestyle, native and marine birdlife, bush beaches, seascapes and, again, excellent fishing. Upon arrival, check into your accommodation in Oban with views over Half Moon Bay. If you are lucky, a rare but playful native Kaka bird may come to greet you! MEALS: B - - OVERNIGHT: Oban, Stewart Island DAY SIX STEWART ISLAND RAKIURA Today you can visit predator-free Ulva island by boat where you will see rare native birds and plants as you enjoy the short cruise and guided walk through the native forest. This afternoon you may wish to take an optional fishing trip (weather dependent). Alternatively, enjoy a coastal walk or even a game of golf on the 9 hole Island course. A free evening - what better place than here to enjoy fresh local seafood?! Perhaps a chance to chat with a few locals (Stewart Island’s population is approximately 450). This evening, take a tour to spot a few more Island locals - the rare Southern Brown Kiwi feeding on insects on the sandy island beaches. MEALS: B - - OVERNIGHT: Oban, Stewart Island DAY SEVEN STEWART ISLAND - BLUFF - INVERCARGILL Rochelle’s photos After another morning on the Island (or extend for extra nights), depart for the catamaran and return trip to Bluff. Continue to New Zealand’s southernmost city, Invercargill. Highlights include the magnificent Bill Richardson’s Transport Museum and E. Hayes & Sons hardware store where Burt Munro’s famous Indian motorcycle and other memorabilia are on display. MEALS: B - - OVERNIGHT: Invercargill DAYS EIGHT & NINE CATLINS OPTION (Suggest two nights) End your trip in Invercargill or continue to the Catlins, a place of natural beauty, abundant wildlife, forests, sandy beaches, waterfalls and rolling green farmland. With its comparative remoteness and stunning vistas, its a great destination. Highlights include Slope Point, the South Island’s southernmost point (where trees grow sideways!), 180 million year old petrified forest, rare yellow-eyed penguins, Hector’s Dolphins (smallest in the world), Purakanui Falls, Papatowai, Kaka Point, iconic Nugget Point lighthouse and its Elephant Seals, fur seals and NZ sea lions. OVERNIGHT(S): Catlins DAY TEN CATLINS - INVERCARGILL/DUNEDIN Depart the Catlins region for Dunedin or Invercargill and return your rental car today (or continue with onward travel). Entire programme customised to suit! Email: [email protected] www.farmtofarm.co.nz TERMS AND CONDITIONS deep south self drive IMPORTANT: By paying the deposit you accept the following terms and conditions - please read carefully prior to booking: Tour Price: (NZ$ per person) Please contact us for a quote with your specifications e.g. number of people, rental vehicle type and length of self-drive tour. Inclusions: - Preferred rental vehicle - Deep South self-drive tour programme - Optional activities you specify e.g cruises - Very good hotel/motel/farm accommodation - Map, directions and tour notes - Meals “BLD” as per itinerary - Showerproof jacket and cap DEPARTURE POINT The suggested programme commences in Queenstown, New Zealand. Flights are not included but can be arranged. *PRICING Farm To Farm Tours Ltd reserves the right to amend the price to reflect changes in exchange rates, fuel and tariffs beyond our control. The tour price is based on payment by cheque, cash or direct credit. For payments by credit card, a full retail price will apply which is an additional 2.55%. PAYMENT & CANCELLATION A deposit of $350 per person is payable on booking. The balance is required 4 weeks prior to departure. If it is necessary for you to cancel your tour (non-Covid-19 related), monies will be refunded less a cancellation fee (per person) as follows: More than 3 weeks before departure - Deposit* Less than 3 weeks before departure - Partial refund depending on supplier refunds* An additional fee may apply to offset any booking, communication or administration charges already incurred by us. You may also be required to pay cancellation fees imposed by our suppliers. After the tour has commenced no refunds are available for unused portions of the tour programme*. *COVID-19 ADDITIONAL TERMS: If travel restrictions are imposed ahead of departure which prevent your tour proceeding as planned, travellers will receive a full credit less any unrecoverable administration and supplier cancellation fees. If travel restrictions are imposed during your tour, Farm To Farm Tours Ltd will use its best endeavours to obtain refunds and/or credits on unused portions of the itinerary from suppliers.